The new coach of the Bundesliga soccer players of VfL Wolfsburg is an old acquaintance: from the coming season, the Lower Saxony will again put the former successful coach Stephan Lerch.
As the club confirmed on Wednesday, the 40-year-old received a contract until 2027. Lerch had already looked after the wolf between 2017 and 2021 as a chief coach and won numerous titles.
“I am aware of the size of this task. But this is exactly what motivates me.”
– Wolfsburg’s age and new trainer Stephan Lerch
“I am very happy to come back to Wolfsburg and to meet many new, but also known faces. The fact that VfL is dear to my heart in my eight years is no secret,” said Lerch: “I am aware of the size of this task, especially with the upcoming changes in the squad and in the coaching team. But exactly this challenge motivates me.”
Great earlier successes with the VfL women
Lerch is currently still working as a sporting director of the league competitor TSG Hoffenheim. After four years in Kraichgau, where he had initially been a coach, he had recently announced that he did not want to extend his contract.
During his first term as head coach, he celebrated three German championships and four DFB Cup victories with the VfL women. He also reached the final of the Champions League in 2018 and 2020.
Since the surprising resignation of Stroot in early April, VfL has been responsible for the previous assistant coach Sabrina Eckhoff.
Wolfsburg will stay without a title for the first time this season, but will still be fighting for direct qualifications for the Champions League. In the Bundesliga, the Lower Saxony are in second place in the Bundesliga two match days before the end of the season, which entitles you to participate in the premier class. However, the lead over the pursuer Eintracht Frankfurt is only one point.
Kellermann: “absolute trust”
Lerch “convinced his great enthusiasm and his ideas very quickly in the conversations,” said Ralf Kellermann, Wolfsburg’s director of women’s football, whose assistant coach Lerch was initially: “Stephans and my many years of collaboration was always characterized by absolutely trust. I am sure that this is the perfect basis to build on the successes achieved together.”
Peter Christiansen was also full of praise: “He returns with an even greater experience and brings a hunger of success that is really remarkable,” said VfL’s sports director.
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Sport Current | 04/30/2025 | 3:17 p.m.
